Tape-reeling system having tape tension control

ABSTRACT

A tape-reeling system having a tension-control arm which is pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape, and a motor for applying a takeup torque to the reel through a continually driven roller in frictional contact with a drum mounted on the reel&#39;&#39;s shaft. Movement of the tension-control arm moves a link which effects a movement of the roller. The frictional force between the roller and drum is thus changed and the takeup torque applied to the reel controlled. In a system having two tension-control arms associated with takeup and payout reels, rapid winding is achieved by locking one of the tensioncontrol arms in a position to provide nonslipping contact between a drum and roller, while stopping the other arm from moving to such a position.

United States Patet [72] inventors Edwin O. DuBuis Pearl River, N.Y.; Carl Bayer, Jr., Park Ridge, NJ. [21 Appl. No. 802,754 22] Filed Feb. 19, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 {73] Assignee Mohawk Data Sciences Corporation Illerkirner, N.Y.

[54] TAPE-REELING SYSTEM HAVING TAPE TENSION 2,745,604 5/1956 Masterson 242/189 Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Artomeys-Francis J. Thomas, Richard H. Smith, Thomas C. Siekman and Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn and MacPeak ABSTRACT: A tape-reeling system having a tension-control arm which is pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape, and a motor for applying a takeup torque to the reel through a continually driven roller in frictional contact with a drum mounted on the reels shaft. Movement of the tensioncontrol arm moves a link which effects a movement of the roller. The frictional force between the roller and drum is thus changed and the takeup torque applied to the reel controlled. In a system having two tension-control arms associated with takeup and payout reels, rapid winding is achieved by locking one of the tension-control arms in a position to provide nonslipping contact between a drum and roller, while stopping the other arm from moving to such a position.

PATENTED AUG24 191:

SHEET 1 [IF 4 INVENTORS EDWIN O. Du BUIS BY CARL BAYER JR.

ATTORNEY PATENTEU AUB24|971 3,601,333

sum u or 4 I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tape-reeling system and, more I particularly, to a system in which the tension in the tape is controlled.

Numerous tape-reeling systems maintain a proper but not excessive amount of tension in the tape by controlling takeup torques applied to the reels. In these systems the tape is looped around guide rollers which are mounted on pivotable tensioncontrol arms. Springs or other biasing means connected to the arms serve to urge the guide rollers into the tape loops. Changes in tension in the tape causes pivotal movements of the arms which are used to regulate the torques applied to the reels.

One prior device utilizes micro switches, operated by the arms, to signal motors applying torques to the reels. However, this device, as are many others, is relatively complex. In addition, because of its electrical components it gives off radio frequency waves which may interfere with other electrical equipment in the vicinity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a tapereeling system in which the tension in the tape is controlled and which is uncomplex and so may be easily and economically manufactured and maintained.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tape-reeling system in which the tension in the tape is controlled and which is free of radio frequency interference generation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tape-reeling system having payout and takeup reels in which the tension in the tape is controlled and which is capable of rapidly winding the tape onto either of the reels.

According to the invention, apparatus is provided to control the tension in the tape within a tape-reeling system having a reel mounted on a shaft, a motor for applying a takeup torque to the reel, and a tension-control arm which is pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape.

The apparatus comprises a drum which is mounted on the reels shaft and whose periphery is in frictional contact with the periphery of a roller driven by the motor. The roller is rotatably mounted on a movable member pivotally connected to a link which, in turn, is pivotally connected to the tensioncontrol arm at a location where the link causes the movable member to move in a manner which properly increases or decreases the frictional force between the drum and a roller when the arm pivots in response to a change in tension in the tape. In this manner, the takeup torque on the reel and, therefore, the tension in the tape is controlled.

In a tape-reeling system having payout and takeup reels, means for driving the tape between the two reels, and two of the above apparatus for controlling the tension in the tape between the payout reel and driving means and between the takeup reel and driving means, the invention also provides means for rapidly winding the tape onto either of the two reels. A pair of plungers in slidably mounted in two apertures, each of which extends through one of the tension-control arms and the guide roller mounted thereon. By moving one of the plungers into a suitably located fixed hole, a tension-control arm may be locked in a position to provide nonslipping contact between a roller and drum. To stop the other arm from moving to a similar position, a pivotably stop member is provided which is positioned by the plunger when it moves into the fixed hole. With the stop member, takeup torque is applied to only one of the reels and the other reel may freely rotate the allow for rapid winding of the tape onto the driven reel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred tape-reeling system embodying the-invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the back of the tape-reeling system shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are sections taken along lines 3-3, 4- 4, 5-5 and 6-6 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a tape-reeling system in which a paper tape 1 is driven from a payout reel 2 to a takeup reel 3 by a tape reader 4. The tape can also be magnetically coated or of any other material. The tape reader, schematically represented as having a tape-driving portion 4a and reading portion 4b, is only illustrative of a device for driving the tape between the two reels. Any tape-processing device having tape-driving capabilities can be utilized. When traveling from the payout reel 2 to the reader 4, the tape passes under an idles roller 5a, over a guide roller 6a and under an idler roller 7a. The rollers are so arranged that the tape forms a loop in which the guide roller is located. A similar path is made by the tape when moving from the reader to the takeup reel 3; it passes under idler rollers 7b and 5b, and over a guide roller 6b. The payout and takeup reels are detachably mounted on shafts 8 and are held in place by locks 9. A panel 10 provides support for the system and the reader and idler rollers are mounted thereon. The reels shafts pass through the panel 10 and the guide rollers are located adjacent two arcuate slots 11 formed in the panel.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, drums 12 are mounted on the reels shafts in back of the panel 10. The periphery of each drum 12 contacts the periphery of one of a pair of rollers 13. With contact between the two, torque on a roller is transmitted by friction to the appropriate drum. Thus when the rollers are driven in the appropriate directions, they drive the drums and torques are applied to the payout and takeup reels to take up tape thereon. Two pulleys 14 are provided, each of which is rigidly connected by shaft member 14a to a roller 13. The connected pulleys and rollers have a common axis and each pair is rotatably mounted on one of two movable levers 15. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of schematically illustratcd continually running motors 16 for applying takeup torques to the reels are attached to the panel 10 with legs 17. Each motor 16 continually drives one of the rollers 13 via a pulley 14 to cause it to rotate in the direction shown and apply a takeup torque to a reel. Belts l8 connect the motors shafts 19 to the pulleys. The levers 15 are pivotally connected to the panel 10 with pivot pins 20 located on the center lines of the motors shafts 19. With this arrangement, movement of a lever 15 does not affect the torque applied by a motors shaft 19 to the pulley and roller rotatably mounted on the lever. Although numerous arrangements are capable to applying the proper torques to the rollers 13, the system described having two motors l6 and belt-driven roller and pulley units is extremely simple.

Referring to FIG. 2, a pair of tension-control arms 21 are pivotally connected at the back of the panel 10 to brackets 22 with pins 23a and 23b at their pivot points. The brackets are secured to the panel at locations over the drums 12 by fasteners 24. The tension-control arms 21 pass through slots 25, shown in FIG. 5, in guide brackets 26. Fasteners 27 secure the guide bracket onto the back of the panel 10 and the slots 25 are formed between top plates 28 and channel-shaped bot' tom members 29.

As shown in FIG. 4, the arms 21 have projections 30 which pass through the arcuate slots 11 in the panel 10, and on which the guide rollers, 6a and 6b, are mounted in front of the panel. At the other ends of the tension-control arms are springs 31 which serve to bias the arms and urge the guide rollers into their respective tape loops. Thus the tension-control arms are pivoted about their pivot pins, 23a and 23b, during a change in tension in the tape at the loops in which the guide rollers, 6a and 6b, are located.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, links 32 are pivotally connected at one end by pins 33 to the levers 15. Pins 34 connect the other ends of the links 32 to the tension-control arms 21. In the embodiment illustrated, each pin 34 and a guide roller, 6a

or 6b, are located on opposite sides of the pivot pin, 23a or 23b, of the arm 21 to which they are attached. Each pin 34 is located such that movement of a tension control arm 21 in response to an increase in tension in the tape causes a link 32 to move a lever so as to lessen the frictional force between a roller 13 and drum 12. Conversely, movement of an arm 21 in response to a decrease in tension in the tape causes a link 32 to move a lever 15 so as to increase the frictional force between a roller 13 and drum 12.

In operation, activation of the tape-driving portion 4a of the reader increases tension in the tape at the guide roller 60 between the payout reel 2 and reader 4. This increase causes the tension-control arm 21 on which guide roller 6a is mounted to pivot about its pivot point 23a in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2. The arms movement causes a link 32 to move upwardly and in turn rotate a lever 15 upwardly. The roller 13 mounted on the lever 15 is thereby moved away from its contacting drum l2 and the frictional force between the roller and drum is reduced. Of course, reducing the frictional force between the roller and drum lessens the takeup torque applied to the shaft 8 on which the payout reel 2 is mounted, and thereby allows tape to be taken from the payout reel by the tape-driving portion of the reader. Meanwhile, activation of the reader's tape-driving portion 4a also causes a decrease in tape tension between the reader 4 and takeup reel 3. Clockwise pivotal movement, as seen in FIG. 2, of the tension-control arm 21 on which the guide roller 6b is mounted is initiated, and the takeup torque applied to the takeup reel 3 is thereby increased to accommodate the tape. Should excessive tension occur in the tape between the reader 4 and the takeup reel 3 at the guide roller 6b, the tension-control arm on which the guide roller 6b is mounted automatically moves to lessen the takeup torque applied to the reel 3.

In the preferred embodiment, the periphery of each roller I3 consists of an elastomer which will withstand the pressure and resulting friction-generated heat caused by contact with a drum 12. Experiment indicates that polyurethane rubber shows very low wear. As for the drums 12, each is preferably made of aluminum with its periphery hardened to resist wear and Teflon impregnated to provide a low coefficient of friction.

When the tape is not being moved by the tape-driving portion of the reader, the preferred embodiment of the invention is self-regulated. Any slack in the tape is taken up through increases in the frictional forces between the rollers and drums as previously described. However, increases in the frictional forces increase friction-generated heat which, in turn, increases the coefficient of friction between each roller and drum. Greater torques are thus applied to the drums by the rollers, the tension in the tape is increased, the tension-control arms are caused to pivot and initiate movement of the rollers away from the drums, andthe frictional forces between the rollers and drums are reduced. In this manner, the frictional force between each roller and drum is automatically regulated to allow a controlled amount of slippage between them when the tape is not being moved.

Dash pots 35 are provided to dampen the movement of the arms in response to increases in tension in the tape. By providing a cushioning effect between the guide rollers, 60 and 6b, and tape, the dash pots do not allow the rollers to suddenly reach the limit of their downward movement before the system can compensate for the increase in tape tension. Without the dash pots 35, the resulting impact would cause a tear in the tape. The dash pots 35 also control the arms during rapid changes in the tension in the tape and so provide for smooth operation of the system with little impact between the rollers and drums.

FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 illustrate the capability of the tape-reeling system to rapidly wind the tape onto either of the reels. Apertures 36 extend through each of the tension control arms projections 30 and the guide rollers 6a, 6b mounted thereon. Each aperture 36 has a plunger 37 slidably mounted within it. The plungers are surrounded by springs 38 interposed between lips 39 secured to the plungers and lips 40 secured to the inside of the projections 30. Each plunger 37 has a spireshaped tip 41 and a knob 42 at its other end. As shown in FIG. 2, the top plates 28 of the guide brackets 26 have projections 28a and 28b, containing holes 43, each of which is aligned with an aperture 36 when a tension-control arm 21 is positioned to provide nonslipping contact between a roller 13 and drum 12.

When it is desired to wind the tape onto one of the reels, the tape is initially removed from the reader 4 so that it directly spans the idler rollers 7a and 7b. The plunger 37 adjacent the reel onto which the tape is to be wound is then pushed in with knob 42 and its spring 38 is compressed. Since the normal operating positions of the tension control arms place the arms projections 30 near the holes 43, the spire-shaped tip 41 of each plunger is able to guide the plunger into a hole 43. A detent groove 44 on the spire-shaped tip 41 serves to keep the plunger 37 within the hole 43 against the force of the spring 38 until it is manually withdrawn. Thus a roller and drum are locked in nonslipping engagement and a takeup torque is constantly applied to one of the reels.

In this situation, the other reel must be allowed to freely rotate. To prevent the other tension-control arm from moving to a position where torque would be applied to the other reel, a stop member 45 is provided. The stop member is pivotally mounted on the back of the panel 10 by a bracket 46, secured to the panel with fasteners 47, and a pivot screw 48 joining the bracket and stop member. The stop member has a pair of projections, 45a and 45b, each of which partially covers one of the holes 43 in the guide brackets projections, 28a and 28b. As shown in FIG. 6, the stop member also has a flange 45: extending across the top of its projections, 45a, 45b and arranged parallel to the tension control arms projections 30. Additionally, the flange 450 has a lip 45d at its end.

Ans also illustrated in FIG. 6, the projections 45a, 45b, of the stop member are so located that one of them is pushed aside by the side of a plungers spire-shaped tip 41 when the plunger is moved into a hole 43 and pivotal movement of the stop member 45 is thereby initiated. Such pivotal movement places lip 45d at a location where it will stop the other tensioncontrol arm from moving to a position to provide nonslipping contact between a roller and drum. Slots 45e in the stop members flange 45c allow the stop member to pivot without bearing against the projections, 28a and 28b, of the guide brackets. A projection 28a or 28b slides within a slot 45:: during pivotal movement of the stop member and so cannot hinder such movement.

By thus stopping the other tension-control arm, one of the reels may freely rotate to allow rapid winding of the tape onto the opposite reel. A spring 49 mounted with a fastener 50 on the bracket 46 returns the stop member to its original position when the plunger is removed from the hole. Such an arrangement allows instantaneous winding onto either reel and is initiated by merely pushing one of the plungers.

I claim:

1. In a tape-reeling system having a reel, a motor for applying a torque to the reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, and a tension-control arm which is pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape, the improvement comprising:

a. a variable friction clutch comprising a driving rotatable roller and a driven rotatable drum arranged to permit frictional peripheral contact between them, the roller being driven by the motor to cause it to rotate, the drum being coupled to the reel to cause the reel to rotate when the drum rotates, the axes of the roller and drum being relatively movable toward and away from each other to vary the frictional force between them, the periphery of the drum being Teflon-impregnated; and

b. means responsive to the position of the tension-control arm to control the distance between the axes of the roller and drum, whereby movement of the tension-control arm alters the frictional force between the roller and drum to alter the torque applied to the reel.

2. In a tape-reeling system having a reel mounted on a shaft, a motor for applying a torque to the reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, and a tension-control arm which is pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape, the improvement comprising:

a. a drum mounted on the reels shaft;

b. a roller belt driven by the motor and having its periphery in contact with the periphery of the drum;

c. a lever on which the roller is rotatably mounted, the lever being pivotable about the centerline of the motors shaft; and

d. a link having an end pivotally connected to the lever, and its other end pivotably connected to the tension-control arm at a location such that movement of the arm is response to an increase in tension in the tape causes the link to move the lever so as to lessen the frictional force between the roller and drum, and movement of the arm in response to a decrease in tension in the tape causes the link to move the lever so as to increase the frictional force between the roller and drum, whereby the torque on the reel is controlled in response to a change in tension in the tape.

3. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 1 wherein the periphery of the roller consists of an elastomer.

4. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 3 wherein the periphery of the roller consists of polyurethane rubber.

5. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 2 and further including:

a. a guide roller mounted on the tension-control arm and located within a loop formed by the tape;

b. biasing means for urging the guide roller into the loop;

and v c. means for damping the movement of the tension-control arm.

6. In a tape-reeling system having a payout reel and a takeup reel mounted on individual shafts passing through a panel, driving means for applying a torque to the payout reel in a direction opposing payout of the tape and for applying a torque to the takeup reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, means for driving the tape between the two reels, a first guide roller located within a first loop formed by the tape between the payout reel and tape driving means, a second guide roller located within a second loop formed by the tape between the takeup reel and tape-driving means, biasing means for urging the guide rollers into their respective loops, and first and second tension-control arms on which the first and second guide rollers are mounted and which are pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape at the first and second loops respectively, wherein the improvement comprises:

a. a pair of drums, each of which is mounted on one of the reelsshafts; b. a pair of rollers, each of which is driven by the torqueapplying driving means and has its periphery in contact with the periphery of one of the drums;

c. a pair of movable members, each of which has mounted thereon one of the rollers; and

d. a pair of links, each of which has an end pivotally connected to one of the movable members and its other end pivotally connected to one of the tension-control arms at a location such that movement of the arm in response to an increase in tension in the tape causes the link to move the movable member so as to lessen the frictional force between one of the rollers and one of the drums, and movement of the arm in response to a decrease in tension in the tape causes the link to move the movable member so as to increase the frictional force between one of the rollers and one of the drums, whereby the torques on the payout and takeup reels are controlled in response to changes in tension in the tape at the first and second loops respectively.

7, The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 6 wherein each rollers periphery consists of an elastomer, and each drum s periphery is Teflon impregnated.

8. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 6 and further including means for damping the movements of the tensioncontrol arms caused by increases in tension in the tape.

9. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 6 wherein:

each tension-control arm and guide roller mounted thereon have an aperture extending through the arm and roller; and further comprising:

a. a pair of plungers, each of which is slidably mounted within one of the apertures; and

b. at least one bracket mounted on the panel, the brackets having a pair of holes, each of which is aligned with one of the apertures when one of the tension-control arms is positioned to provide nonslipping contact between a roller and drum, whereby, by removing the tape from the tape-driving means and moving one of the plungers into one of the holes, a tension-control arm may be locked in a fixed position to provide a rapid wind of the tape onto one of the reels.

10. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 9 and includbiasing means within the apertures for urging the plungers out of the holes; and wherein:

each plungers end which moves into one of the holes is pointed to guide the plunger into the holes; and

the pointed end has a detent groove to keep the plunger within the hole against the urging of the biasing means.

1 l. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 9 wherein:

each plungers end which moves into one of the holes is pointed; and further comprising:

a. a stop member pivotally mounted on the panel, the stop member having a pair of projections each of which partially covers one of the holes, the projections being located such that when one of the tension-control arms is being locked by a plunger, the side of the plungers pointed end pushes against one of the projections, and thereby pivots the stop member to a position where a portion of the stop member stops the other tension-control arm from moving to a position where it would provide nonslipping contact between a roller and drum; and

b. biasing means for returning the stop member to its original position when the plunger is removed from the hole.

12. In a tape-reeling system having a reel, a motor for applying a torque to the reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, and a tension-control arm which is pivotably in response to a change in tension in the tape, the improvement comprising:

a. a variable friction clutch comprising a driving rotatable roller and a driven rotatable drum arranged to permit frictional peripheral contact between them, the roller being driven by the motor to cause it to rotate, the drum being coupled to the reel to cause the reel to rotate when the drum rotates, the axes of the roller and drum being relatively movable toward and away from each other to vary the frictional force between them;

b. means response to the position of the tension-control arm to control the distance between the axes of the roller and drum, whereby movement of the tension-control arm alters the frictional force between the roller and drum to alter the torque applied to the reel, and

. means for locking the roller and drum in nonslipping engagement whereby the tape may be rapidly wound on the reel.

13. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 12 wherein the locking means holds the tension-control arm in a fixed position such that the roller and drum are locked in nonslipping engagement.

14. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 13 and including a guide roller mounted on the tension-control arm and located within a loop formed by the tape, the guide roller having an aperture extending through the arm and roller; and wherein the locking means comprises:

a. a stationary member having a hole aligned with the aperture when the tension-control arm is positioned to provide nonslipping engagement between the roller and drum;and

ing the plunger out of the hole; and wherein:

the plungers end which moves into the hole is pointed to guide the plunger into the hole and the pointed end has a detent groove to keep the plunger within the hole against the urging of the biasing means. 

1. In a tape-reeling system having a reel, a motor for applying a torque to the reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, and a tension-control arm which is pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape, the improvement comprising: a. a variable friction clutch comprising a driving rotatable roller and a driven rotatable drum arranged to permit frictional peripheral contact between them, the roller being driven by the motor to cause it to rotate, the drum being coupled to the reel to cause the reel to rotate when the drum rotates, the axes of the roller and drum being relatively movable toward and away from each other to vary the frictional force between them, the periphery of the drum being Teflonimpregnated; and b. means responsive to the position of the tension-control arm to control the distance between the axes of the roller and drum, whereby movement of the tension-control arm alters the frictional force between the roller and drum to alter the torque applied to the reel.
 2. In a tape-reeling system having a reel mounted on a shaft, a motor for applying a torque to the reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, and a tension-control arm which is pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape, the improvement comprising: a. a drum mounted on the reel''s shaft; b. a roller belt driven by the motor and having its periphery in contact with the periphery of the drum; c. a lever on which the roller is rotatably mounted, the lever being pivotable about the centerline of the motor''s shaft; and d. a link having an end pivotally connected to the lever, and its other end pivotably connected to the tension-control arm at a location such that movement of the arm is response to an increase in tension in the tape causes the link to move the lever so as to lessen the frictional force between the roller and drum, and movement of the arm in response to a decrease in tension in the tape causes the link to move the lever so as to increase the frictional force between the roller and drum, whereby the torque on the reel is controlled in response to a change in tension in the tape.
 3. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 1 wherein the periphery of the roller consists of an elastomer.
 4. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 3 wherein the periphery of the roller consists of polyurethane rubber.
 5. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 2 and further including: a. a guide roller mounted on the tension-control arm and located within a loop formed by the tape; b. biasing means for urging the guide roller into the loop; aNd c. means for damping the movement of the tension-control arm.
 6. In a tape-reeling system having a payout reel and a takeup reel mounted on individual shafts passing through a panel, driving means for applying a torque to the payout reel in a direction opposing payout of the tape and for applying a torque to the takeup reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, means for driving the tape between the two reels, a first guide roller located within a first loop formed by the tape between the payout reel and tape driving means, a second guide roller located within a second loop formed by the tape between the takeup reel and tape-driving means, biasing means for urging the guide rollers into their respective loops, and first and second tension-control arms on which the first and second guide rollers are mounted and which are pivotable in response to a change in tension in the tape at the first and second loops respectively, wherein the improvement comprises: a. a pair of drums, each of which is mounted on one of the reels'' shafts; b. a pair of rollers, each of which is driven by the torque-applying driving means and has its periphery in contact with the periphery of one of the drums; c. a pair of movable members, each of which has mounted thereon one of the rollers; and d. a pair of links, each of which has an end pivotally connected to one of the movable members and its other end pivotally connected to one of the tension-control arms at a location such that movement of the arm in response to an increase in tension in the tape causes the link to move the movable member so as to lessen the frictional force between one of the rollers and one of the drums, and movement of the arm in response to a decrease in tension in the tape causes the link to move the movable member so as to increase the frictional force between one of the rollers and one of the drums, whereby the torques on the payout and takeup reels are controlled in response to changes in tension in the tape at the first and second loops respectively.
 7. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 6 wherein each roller''s periphery consists of an elastomer, and each drum''s periphery is Teflon impregnated.
 8. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 6 and further including means for damping the movements of the tension-control arms caused by increases in tension in the tape.
 9. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 6 wherein: each tension-control arm and guide roller mounted thereon have an aperture extending through the arm and roller; and further comprising: a. a pair of plungers, each of which is slidably mounted within one of the apertures; and b. at least one bracket mounted on the panel, the brackets having a pair of holes, each of which is aligned with one of the apertures when one of the tension-control arms is positioned to provide nonslipping contact between a roller and drum, whereby, by removing the tape from the tape-driving means and moving one of the plungers into one of the holes, a tension-control arm may be locked in a fixed position to provide a rapid wind of the tape onto one of the reels.
 10. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 9 and including: biasing means within the apertures for urging the plungers out of the holes; and wherein: each plunger''s end which moves into one of the holes is pointed to guide the plunger into the holes; and the pointed end has a detent groove to keep the plunger within the hole against the urging of the biasing means.
 11. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 9 wherein: each plunger''s end which moves into one of the holes is pointed; and further comprising: a. a stop member pivotally mounted on the panel, the stop member having a pair of projections each of which partially covers one of the holes, the projections being located such that when one of the tension-control arms is being locked by a plunger, the side of the plunger''s pointed end pushes againsT one of the projections, and thereby pivots the stop member to a position where a portion of the stop member stops the other tension-control arm from moving to a position where it would provide nonslipping contact between a roller and drum; and b. biasing means for returning the stop member to its original position when the plunger is removed from the hole.
 12. In a tape-reeling system having a reel, a motor for applying a torque to the reel in a direction to take up tape thereon, and a tension-control arm which is pivotably in response to a change in tension in the tape, the improvement comprising: a. a variable friction clutch comprising a driving rotatable roller and a driven rotatable drum arranged to permit frictional peripheral contact between them, the roller being driven by the motor to cause it to rotate, the drum being coupled to the reel to cause the reel to rotate when the drum rotates, the axes of the roller and drum being relatively movable toward and away from each other to vary the frictional force between them; b. means response to the position of the tension-control arm to control the distance between the axes of the roller and drum, whereby movement of the tension-control arm alters the frictional force between the roller and drum to alter the torque applied to the reel, and c. means for locking the roller and drum in nonslipping engagement whereby the tape may be rapidly wound on the reel.
 13. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 12 wherein the locking means holds the tension-control arm in a fixed position such that the roller and drum are locked in nonslipping engagement.
 14. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 13 and including a guide roller mounted on the tension-control arm and located within a loop formed by the tape, the guide roller having an aperture extending through the arm and roller; and wherein the locking means comprises: a. a stationary member having a hole aligned with the aperture when the tension-control arm is positioned to provide nonslipping engagement between the roller and drum; and b. a plunger slidably mounted within the aperture such that it may be moved into the hole to hold the tension-control arm in a fixed position to rapidly wind the tape onto the reel.
 15. The tape-reeling system as recited in claim 14 wherein the locking means further includes: biasing means within the aperture in the guide roller for urging the plunger out of the hole; and wherein: the plunger''s end which moves into the hole is pointed to guide the plunger into the hole and the pointed end has a detent groove to keep the plunger within the hole against the urging of the biasing means. 